UPDATE: Reports indicate that one of the men was released on Wednesday 30th January 2019, after a portion of the ransom was allegedly paid.

On Sunday 27th January 2019, six (6) T&T Fishermen, including a 16-year-old, left on a fishing trip - but never returned. Relatives of one of the men, Linton Manohar, later received a phone call from him stating that the men were all kidnapped by “Venezuelan Pirates.”

The Kidnappers demanded a ransom of US $200,000 be paid in full by Friday 1st February, with a down-payment due two (2) days before. Relatives were told that the hands and limbs of the men would be removed if the ransom was not paid on time.

Besides Linton Manohar, the other men are: 16-year-old Jandesh Jaikaran, Brandon Arjoon, brothers Jason and Jerry O'Brien and Ricky Rambarose - all from Morne Diablo.

See photos of some of the kidnapped men below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Police are currently investigating this third kidnapping for January 2019 - all allegedly by the hands of “Venezuelan Pirates.”

​This is a developing story - stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE: Attorney General, Faris Al-Rawi, has clarified that the new requirement applies to Immigrant Visas only (those seeking to relocate to the U.S).

The United States Embassy in T&T has issued an update to their Visa Application process in which they are now only accepting the new (green) Polymer civil documents (Birth/Marriage/Death). This new requirement goes into effect from 1st February 2019.

Older versions of these civil documents will therefore no longer be accepted.

​See the U.S Embassy’s Facebook post below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Visit the U.S Embassy’s website for full details about applying for a U.S Visa, or contact them at (868) 622-6371.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, has finally sent a letter to the other driver involved in his Land Rover crash, which took place on 17th January 2019. 46-year-old Emma Fairweather received the letter six (6) days after the crash.

Emma suffered a broken wrist in the accident and several days later she publicly questioned why the Duke had not yet apologized for his role in the crash.

Emma was later surprised to receive a hand-delivered letter at her home in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, dated 21st January 2019 - four (4) days after the crash:

See Prince Philip’s 181-word letter to Emma below, as well as a photo of her holding the letter. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[Source]

The PNM Government of Trinidad & Tobago earlier this week stated it is officially supporting Nicholas Maduro as the current President of Venezuela - which is in direct conflict with U.S President Donald Trump’s support for Juan Guaido as Interim President. Also in support of Guaido is T&T’s Leader of the Opposition (UNC), Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The U.S Ambassador to T&T, Joseph Mondello, has now taken issue with the PNM Government of T&T - publicly stating that he finds its support for Maduro “deeply concerning.”

See the U.S Ambassador’s Press Release below, as well as a graphic depicting where the rest of the World stands on this issue.

Scotiabank is once again warning customers against opening unsolicited text messages that request confidential bank information. This latest warning comes after a spate of similar unsolicited text messages that were being circulated last year.

See Scotiabank’s Media Release below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) is advising citizens that “Water Use Restrictions” for the Dry Season will be in effect from Midnight on Monday 28th January 2019 - until further notice.

Restrictions during this period of water conservation include: the use of Water Hoses and any similar apparatus for the purpose of, among other things, watering private gardens and/or washing motor vehicles. Also restricted, will be the use of Sprinklers, Pressure Washers, decorative Fountains, Waterfalls and other outdoor artistic features that utilizes water.

WASA has also warned there will be increased patrols in various areas and any person found breaking the law will be liable for a Fine ($75) upon summary conviction. They have the right to enter your property at any reasonable hour to check if water is being wasted or misused - once they provide authenticated documents.

​See the News Release from WASA below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

[Source]

After being arrested for several hours on Monday 21st January 2019, Chris Brown and two (2) members of his Team were released the next day without conditions - meaning they were free to leave Paris. However, Brown did not flee back to the U.S right away as he had other work-related commitments, including the filming of a new Music Video.

Police in Paris apparently had major issues with the rape accuser’s story.

Brown indicated shortly after his release that he would be suing his rape accuser for Defamation. That lawsuit was filed today by his Parisan Lawyer, Raphael Chiche. In addition to the Defamation lawsuit, his Lawyer also cited a Criminal Statute relating to ‘Invasion of Privacy.’ A violation of that law carries a maximum 1-year Prison Sentence.

Read what Chris Brown said on his Instagram below, shortly before he was released from custody.

UPDATE 2: At a Media Breifing held on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, Police confirmed the body found was that of Sheldon Sukhdeo.

UPDATE: The body has been positively identified as that of Sheldon Sukhdeo.

Around 1pm today, Tuesday 22nd January 2019, a body in an advanced state of decomposition was found in a forested area approximately 2 miles into the Caroni South Bank Road. Police say the body has a tattoo with the name “Sheldon” on its arm. The body was found with its arms tied and mouth gagged - and was clad in clothing similar to what Sheldon was last seen wearing.

Sheldon Sukhdeo, the brother of murdered Real Estate and Used Car Dealer Sheron Sukhdeo, was kidnapped on 16th December 2018. The Kidnappers made contact with Sheldon’s family since then and demanded a TT $2 Million Ransom for his safe return - which was apparently not paid.

The remains were removed to the Forensic Sciences Centre where an Autopsy will be performed to give a cause of death and confirm the identity of the body.

​This is a developing story - stay tuned for updates.

[Source: Trinidad Express]

UPDATE: Following his arrest, Chris Brown was freed the next day as Police had issues with the alleged victim’s story.

Chris Brown and two (2) members of his Team have been arrested by French Police after a woman claims she was recently raped by the Singer, his friend and a Bodyguard at a Paris Hotel.

The arrests were made on Monday 21st January 2019 and the men can be held for up to two (2) days by French Authorities while investigations continue. A Source close to the case claims that a number of the suspects were carrying Cocaine, which Police also found at the Hotel.

See recent photos of Chris Brown in Paris below and continue reading for more information.

The victim, a 24-year-old Model alleges she met Brown at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Paris on 15th January 2019 at around 10:30pm and then went to a Nightclub. At around 4am, Brown and his crew wanted to return to the Hotel - she told them she was tired but they convinced her to go back to the Mandarin with a group of people.

She said once inside his Suite, she went to the Bathroom, Brown followed her and took her by the right arm. He then made her enter a Dressing Room and closed the door. She claims the rape lasted 25 - 30 minutes and described it as "brutal and violent." She says she was then "abused" by one of Brown's friends and a Bodyguard. Out of fear for her safety, the victim waited two (2) days, until 18th January 2019, before reporting the alleged rape to French Police.

​Investigations are continuing - stay tuned for updates.

[Source: TMZ]

Nominations for the 91st Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning, Tuesday 22nd January 2019. “Black Panther” has made history as the first Superhero film to ever be nominated for “Best Picture.” Both “Roma” (a Netflix film) and “The Favourite” are tied with ten (10) Nominations each.

The Academy Awards will be broadcast live on Sunday 24th February 2019 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT on ABC.

See the complete list of Nominations below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Best Picture:

“Roma”
“A Star Is Born”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Black Panther”
“Green Book”
“The Favourite”
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Vice”​

Best Actress:

Glenn Close, “The Wife”
Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”

Best Actor:

Christian Bale, “Vice”
Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”
Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”
Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

Best Director:

Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman”
Adam McKay, “Vice”
Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Favourite”
Pawel Pawlikowski “Cold War”

Best Supporting Actress:

Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”
Amy Adams, “Vice”
Marina de Tavira, “Roma”

Best Supporting Actor:

Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”
Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”
Sam Rockwell, “Vice”

Best Animated Feature Film:

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
“Isle of Dogs”
“Mirai”
“Ralph Breaks the Internet”
“Incredibles 2”

Best Original Song:

“Shallow,” “A Star Is Born”
“When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings,” “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
“All The Stars,” “Black Panther”
“The Place Where Lost Things Go,” “Mary Poppins Returns”
“I’ll Fight,” “RBG”

Best Original Screenplay:

“The Favourite,” Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón
“First Reformed,” Paul Schrader
“Green Book,” Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly
“Vice,” Adam McKay

Best Adapted Screenplay:

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” Barry Jenkins
“BlacKkKlansman,” Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott
“A Star Is Born,” Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Best Foreign Language Film:

“Never Look Away” (Germany)
“Shoplifters” (Japan)
“Capernaum” (Lebanon)
“Roma” (Mexico)
“Cold War” (Poland)

Best Documentary:

“Free Solo”
“Hale County This Morning, This Evening”
“Minding the Gap”
“Of Fathers and Sons”
“RBG”

Best Cinematography:

“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón
“A Star Is Born,” Matthew Libatique
“The Favourite,” Robbie Ryan
“Cold War,” Lukasz Zal
“Never Look Away,” Caleb Deschanel

Best Production Design:

“Black Panther”
“Roma”
“First Man”
“The Favourite”
“Mary Poppins Returns”

Best Film Editing:

“The Favourite,” Yorgos Mavropsaridis
“Green Book,” Patrick J. Don Vito
“BlacKkKlansman,” Barry Alexander Brown
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” John Ottman
“Vice,” Hank Corwin

Best Original Score:

“Black Panther”
“BlacKkKlansman”
“If Beale Street Could Talk”
“Isle of Dogs”
“Mary Poppins Returns”

Best Visual Effects:

“Avengers: Infinity War”
“Christopher Robin”
“First Man”
“Ready Player One”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”

Best Costume Design:
​
“Black Panther,” Ruth E. Carter
“The Favourite,” Sandy Powell
“Mary Queen of Scots,” Alexandra Byrne
“Mary Poppins Returns,” Sandy Powell
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” Mary Zophres

Best Makeup and Hair Styling:

“Border”
“Mary Queen of Scots”
“Vice”

Best Sound Editing:

“First Man”
“A Quiet Place”
“Black Panther”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Roma”

Best Sound Mixing:

“A Star Is Born”
“Black Panther”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“First Man”
“Roma”

Best Documentary Short Subject:

“Black Sheep”
“End Game”
“Lifeboat”
“A Night at the Garden”
“Period. End of Sentence.”

Best Animated Short Film:

“Animal Behaviour”
“Bao”
“Late Afternoon”
“One Small Step”
“Weekends”

Best Live Action Short Film:

“Detainment”
“Fauve”
“Marguerite”
“Mother”
“Skin”

​[Source]